It’s breaking out all over the place. First, we have Treasury recommending that a Chinese-owned mining company not be granted rights alongside some of our most sensitive national security areas:
Treasury officials repeatedly cited the proximity of Firstgold’s four Nevada properties to the Fallon Naval Air Station, as well as “other sensitive and classified security and military assets that cannot be identified,” according to a written summary of briefings prepared by a company lawyer.
The Navy site is a major training facility where pilots test laser-guided weapons. Federal lands in Nevada historically have also been one of the most popular sites for American nuclear missile silos.
Joel O. Benson, a lawyer for Northwest Nonferrous, raised questions about future investment by foreign-controlled companies in the mining industry in the United States, particularly Nevada, where much of the land is federally owned.
Even CNN’s Jamie McIntyre is pooh-pooing the popular notion that we could have nabbed bin Laden in Torah Bora, if only we’d have tried a little harder:
The fact of the matter is that in the rugged terrain of Tora Bora, the idea of sealing the border is problematic at best. Might the U.S. troops stationed at key crossing points have picked bin Laden out from the other refugees fleeing to Pakistan? Maybe, with some luck. Should the U.S. have tried harder? Probably. Would it have worked? Probably not.
In fact its easy to imagine a converse narrative in which the pundits, in hindsight, reflect on the foolish hubris of the U.S. thinking it could capture bin Laden by sealing a border that has never been sealed. A Senate report, authored by a critics of the administration, might, in this imaginary scenario, have suggested a major opportunity was missed to work with Afghan and Pakistani allies who knew the area, instead of using a heavy-handed American approach that alienated local afghans and motivated bin Laden sympathizers to aid his escape.
But whether you are a pundit or politician, the smart thing to do from a PR standpoint is to embrace conventional wisdom whenever it calcifies around a generally accepted consensus. For your image and reputation, it’s better to join it than to fight it. Arguing against the collective judgment of all those smart people can make you look inflexible, and unwilling to face reality. But conventional wisdom is so often, well, “conventional”, that is it’s oversimplified and lacking in any serious consideration of nuance or imponderables. Still, if you just go with the collective judgment of the punditry, while you may not always be right, you’ll always be in good company.
The MSM – or elements of it – are finally catching up to Uncle Jimbo.
Wonders never cease.
Don’t get your hopes up. Even the proverbial broken clock provides the correct time twice a day.
Lex,
If I’m reading your second sentence correctly “First, we have Treasury recommending that a Chinese-owned mining company be granted rights alongside some of our most sensitive national security areas:” You’re implying that Treasury recommende the Company be GRANTED rights. But yet in the article it says “The Treasury Department was prepared on Monday to recommend that President Obama block the sale.” I think in keeping with the title of the thread there might be a not missing in your sentence.
Cheers
Juvat
Right you are. Or were.
Federal lands in Nevada historically have also been one of the most popular sites for American nuclear missile silos.
I’ll bet that comes as something of a surprise to both North Dakota and Montana. AFAIK there’s not ONE single operational missile silo in Nevada… but, Hey! I’ve been wrong before. Maybe the Navy has test holes for Poseidons in the area…
Hey, there is (or was) a Navy base at the Salton Sea – anything is possible.
If that USN Base weren’t there, the Saltons would soon cross that sea, and invade!
That’s why we have silo’s, and bomber bases, in South Dakota — if North Dakota falls we are the only line of defense against the Rampaging Canadian Hordes reaching the Mall of America or possibly even the adventure park “Worlds of Fun” in Kansas City before Congress could even convene to discuss the matter.
Remember, as you visit your malls this holiday season and take the kids to the parks this summer, were it not for eternal vigilance….
– Max
I remember my days on the USN’s last RUDDEROW class DE, patrolling Lake Superior, trying to get a handle on the Canadian Pirate Whalers, that would come down to the plankton rich ares near the Apostle Islands, to poach both Walleyed Whales, and lake Superior Sperm whales, whose blubber would be rendered down into oil, and used by Tim Hortons to fry thier donuts.
My Aunt Marianne ( HUZZAH!) lives 3 blocks from the MOA, so i have been there many times, and far as I can say, the Canadians can have it.
Nuclear *tests* – yeah, silos – not so.
- SJS
No point in barring the Chinese if the New York Times has access.
C’mon. Why worry about it? Fallon is populated with workers of asian heritage. probably a snooker in there amidst the gaggle that has a nice fat bank account courtesy of the friendly Chinese government. I’m sure they know the comings and goings and and testing schedules as well as any one on the base. Area 51 too. Seems we stopped having secrets after Clarence Johnson left the LSW.
And if Kerry and “noted military thinker Maureen Dowd” say we could have nabbed Obi-wan bin laden well it MUST BE TRUE.
Or as my staunchly democratic cousin-in-law (is there such a thing?) said “Well, John Kerry IS a military expert” to which I replied “well there you have it – an “ex” is a has been and a “spurt” is a drip under pressure – sounds just about right”
spurt. G man so rules the tubes.